Osaka International Airport, located in the center of the Keihanshin metropolitan area, offers excellent accessibility. However, due to its close proximity to residential neighborhoods, operations are limited to 14 h daily, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., to reduce noise impact. In the past, there were serious disputes over nighttime flights during periods of louder aircraft noise, and even now, flight operations after 9:00 p.m. (referred to as delayed flights) continue to draw strong criticism from nearby residents. While exceptions are made for delays caused by unavoidable circumstances beyond airlines’ control, such cases have been increasing in recent years due to growing air traffic and more frequent severe weather events linked to climate change. Responding to strong community demands for reducing delayed flights, we have introduced a new “Night Noise Reduction Fee” in addition to conventional delay-reduction efforts. The revenue from this charge will be returned to the community to support coexistence and mutual benefit. This presentation introduces our latest initiatives to reduce delayed flights and mitigate noise impacts, reflecting our commitment to maintaining a balance between airport functionality and residents’ quality of life.
Nishino et al. (Wed,) studied this question.